Ds is currently in Yr 8 and struggles slightly with school work and academic studies, probably due to his slight learning disabilities. We went for a look around our (current) nearest UTC last night and we were both very impressed, it seems to have a learning style and ethos that would suit DS extremely well and would hopefully enable him to gain a good apprenticeship at either 16 or 18, depending on when he feels is the best time to move into training and work.
However, the one we looked at last night will be about 25 miles away when he goes, between 30 and 45 minutes in the car or 90 to 105 mins on public transport. There is another opening in the meantime which would be closer, but still the same travelling time by car, or 40 to 60 mins by public transport.
He would be yr10 when he started, and if we applied for him to attend one of them, I would also look extremely hard for a job in the vicinity, to enable him to attend. But all I am getting from family members is that the travel would be untenable and thus it is unworkable no matter how good the school is. The days are longer as well, so it would be a very long day for him, but would equip him with skills and give him experience he will not get in a standard secondary school, he will not have homework, and I feel the benefits would outweigh the length of day which he would adapt to.
Has anyone here got experience of a UTC? Especially if it means having to travel for one. Are you impressed with them, do they help prepare students for work? Any negative feelings towards them? I know it is a year early, but I need to work out if it is something worth pursuing or not before next year when we have to apply.
Many thanks in advance.
(Also posted in secondary education and chat, as I am trying to get as many opinions as possible and am unsure where is best for this.)